Raghuvanshi’s obstructing-the-field dismissal sparks chaos: Helmet hurled, Nayar confronts umpire, KKR shell-shocked

the field. The KKR camp was left shell-shocked as head coach Abhishek Nayar charged towards the fourth umpire, fuming in anger over the dismissal.

Updated on: Apr 26, 2026, 20:59:02 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Controversy erupted during the first innings of the IPL 2026 match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Sunday when KKR batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi was given out for obstructing the field. The KKR camp was left shell-shocked as head coach Abhishek Nayar charged towards the fourth umpire, fuming in anger over the dismissal.

Umpires speak to Kolkata Knight Riders' Angkrish Raghuvanshi during the Indian Premier League 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants (ANI Pic Service)

The incident happened on the final ball of the fifth over of the innings when Raghuvanshi pushed the length ball from Prince Yadav towards mid-on and set off for a single. Cameron Green sent him back immediately. Raghuvanshi stopped, turned back, ran and then dived to reach the crease as the fielder made the throw towards the striker's end. The ball hit Raghuvanshi as Mohammed Shami was the first from LSG to appeal for an obstructing the field dismissal.

IPL 2026, LSG vs KKR LIVE Score

The on-field umpire sent it upstairs, and the third umpire, after having looked at it, reckoned the batter had changed his direction and hence was given out for obstructing the field.

The KKR camp was absolutely shocked at what unravelled. Even the batter was seen confronting the umpire, before he wasn't back to the pavilion.

Raghuvanshi was utterly frustrated. He hit the bat on the floor and flung his helmet, while Nayar was seen all angry as he had a chat with the fourth umpire.

Raghuvanshi became the fourth batter in IPL history to be dismissed for obstructing the field after Yusuf Pathan (KKR vs Pune Warriors India, Ranchi, 2013), Amit Mishra (Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Vizag, 2019), and Ravindra Jadeja (CSK vs Rajasthan Royals, Chennai, 2024).

With the dismissal, KKR incurred another horrific show in the powerplay, losing three wickets for just 31 runs. Earlier Mohsin Khan struck twice in two overs to remove both the openers. Tim Siefert was dismissed for a duck, while Ajinkya Rahane managed only 10 off 15.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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